Angling is picking up along with weather

CATCHES continue to improve as the fine weather tempts more coarse anglers out on to the bankside.

CATCHES continue to improve as the fine weather tempts more coarse anglers out on to the bankside.

At Leazes Park, the city-centre fishery has been producing fine carp up to 16lb 8oz, and the day-ticket commercial fisheries of Aldin Grange, The Angel and Eden Meadows have all yielded improved catches of late.

On the Tyne Alan Dodds had a double-figure net of small dace with three roach also included in his catch, and the Tees has been in fine form for perch anglers with five fish all over 2lb reported in the last 10 days from the slower reaches above the barrage.

Washington angler Kevin Handley won the Northallerton AC Open on the River Swale at Scruton, netting four chub on bread and meat, for 17lb 2oz. Ian Curtain was second with 12lb 6oz and third place went to Jim Taylor on 10lb 8oz, while the consistent Graham Skirrey made fourth with 10lb 2oz.

Yarm AC’s match on the Tees on Sunday saw Richy Besemer win with 32lb 13oz of perch and dace caught on pole and maggot. Dave Hansen was runner-up on 27lb 8oz with Geoff Douglas third with 24lb 12oz, pipping fourth-placed Andy Dargue by a mere 2oz.

CADCAC’s latest fished matches on Crofton lake was won by Willie Sawyers with six bream for 9lb 15oz. Second place went to Martin Chandler with three bream for 6lb 15oz, while junior member Leonie Brooks made third with two bream for 3lb 12oz.

Pike fishing on Esthwaite has been on top form since the thaw and static deadbaits have reigned supreme for the majority of anglers visiting the fishery, where Chris Oakes experienced the best session, taking five Pike to 28lb on sea deadbaits from the boats.

Mark Jones employed the guiding service available at Esthwaite and took two pike to 20lb 8oz, again on static deadbaits from the boats, while Peter Bragg took a 22lb fish on mackerel deadbait.

Paul White from Carlisle used smelt to land a 21-pounder, while fellow Cumbrians James Goodall took a 25lb 10oz fish to legered mackerel and Mark Billington accounted for a cracking 24lb 8oz fish.

Ian Spence from Barnard Castle fished a static deadbait and landed a 21-pounder, but there is time to land even bigger fish as the pike season runs until the end of March on Esthwaite.

A new and very welcome fishery has been created in the region which offers both season and day-ticket facilities. Chapmans Well Coarse Fishery has been created by Nigel Hall and is situated on the outskirts of the village of Maiden Law, Co Durham.

The fishery is situated in 37 acres of picturesque and tranquil farmland with Season Tickets and Day/Evening Tickets on sale.

It contains Carp – Common, Ghost, Mirror, Crucian, from 8oz up to 18lb, Perch, Roach Skimmers, Chub and Tench. Season tickets are priced at £60 plus a one-off joining fee of £15.

The price for over-65s and disabled anglers (blue badge holders) is £50 plus £15 joining fee, and for 16 to 18-year-olds the cost is £55 plus £15.

Day tickets are priced at £7, but are only available from Tuesday to Saturday, as Sundays and Mondays are restricted to season ticket holders only. To pre-book all-day tickets, contact Nigel on 07836 758987 or email hall.nigel@btconnect.com

DIARY DATES

Tomorrow: The Lower Tees Angling Association hold a charity open on their stretch of the Tees at Bowesfield.

Sunday: Big Waters AC fish a Winter League match on Rennys lake. Sunderland FAC fish their Silksworth Spring Starter match. Yarm AA contest a club match on the Tees. There are opens on the Angel, Woodlands and The Oaks, while CADCAC members wishing to represent the club in the Van Den Eynde Super Cup have a selection match on Crofton Pond. Wilton AC fish a match on the Alders lake and Langley Park AC meet in Langley Park Workingmen’s Club with a 10am start.

Tuesday: WACAC have a club meeting at 7.30pm at Dudley & Weetslade Social Club, Clayton Street, Dudley, Cramlington NE23 7HY.

Wednesday: Opens on both The Angel and Woodlands.

Thursday: Four in One AC meet at The Bay Horse Pub, Whickham and Ferryhill and District have a get-together in the Catholic Club, Dean Road, Ferryhill, and there is an open on The Oaks.